Tag: Collier & Catchpole

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Collier & Catchpole Lawford Hosts 1st Winter Wonderland Trade & DIY Event

“The perfect way to finish this year’s trade shows — great suppliers, a few cheeky churros & exclusive winter trade deals”

On Thursday 28th November, we hosted our first Winter Wonderland event. It was certainly one for the memory books. A great turnout of customers and suppliers, paired with winter sunshine, giveaways, games, hot churros & chocolate. We couldn’t have asked for more.

🍫 Fried churros & chocolate sauce (9.30am – 1.30pm)
📻 Prize draw to win a Makita UK DAB Radio & D.I.Y S’more Kit
❄️ Competition to win your own height in beer
👏 Live demos, displays & giveaways from RUBI UK & Ireland, Azpects Ltd, TIMCO, Mannok, Pavestone UK Limited, Sika, Brett Martin, Keylite and Colchester Institute.

Keylite Windows Winter Wonderland

“It was a great day and well organised, looking forward to the next one!” – Adrian. “Fantastic event, very welcoming environment and an amazing team at Collier & Catchpole. Well done to all involved” – Tristan.  “Really enjoyed this event, great marketing again, a pleasure to see hard work come together” – Carl. 

Meet The Winter Wonderland Exhibitors

Brett Martin Ltd is a global player supplying specialist plastic products for the construction, fabrication sectors worldwide. “Brett Martin is the UK and Ireland’s leading independent building products manufacturer with a comprehensive Underground, Rainwater and Plumbing product range, including the innovative Cast Iron Rainwater and Soil system, Cascade.”

Colchester Institute‘s Trowel Trades & Wood Occupations department: In partnership with industry leaders like Collier & Catchpole. “We deliver hands-on training and real-world experience. Our learners gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in the construction industry, preparing them for the next step — higher education, apprenticeships, or employment — ensuring they are workplace-ready and poised for success.” – Tristan Edwards / Chris Coe, M.Ed.

Established in 1972 — TIMCO imports and supplies more than 8,000 quality products from around the world. “From screws and fixings to power tool accessories, hand tools, adhesives, chemicals, personal and site protection, security, ironmongery, building hardware and beyond”

Lawford Winter Wonderland

Based in Ipswich, Suffolk — Azpects Ltd have been developing, manufacturing and distributing hard landscaping products since 2009. “We produce products that make creating and maintaining hard landscaping EASY. The revolutionary EASYJoint has become the UK’s top-selling jointing compound amongst landscaping and building professionals.” Mica / David.

winter wonderland

Keylite Roof Windows offers a full range of roof windows, blinds, timber loft ladders, flashings, electric operation kits and accessories. “We believe that every product produced should provide the very best in innovation, quality and value for money.” – Abie Jackson.

Mannok is one of UK & Ireland’s most diverse and experienced manufacturers of premium construction products. “Manufacturing and service excellence coupled with a passion for quality is at the core of our business and our aim is to provide an unrivalled technical support to architects, designers, engineers, contractors and building owners” Adrian Downes

winter wonderland

RUBI Group specialise in the design and manufacture of machinery and tools for cutting, placing and maintaining tiles. “At RUBI we evolve day by day hand in hand with professionals from all over the world, providing them with the necessary tools to obtain the best results”.

Sika (Everbuild) is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection. “The reputation for Sika for quality and reliability is virtually unmatched, illustrated through a comprehensive portfolio of problem solving products that have been employed for many years” – Chris Forsyth.

This year we have done our best to ramp up our in-house events and the support we have received from our suppliers and customers has boosted the Collier brand and paved the way for the future trade days.

winter wonderland

Well done to the Lawford team, you hosted a 10/10 event. We can still smell the churros! See you again next year for Winter Wonderland 2025. Click here to see our top photos from our “family photoshoot”.

Some highlights from the event

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Mersea Sea Scouts Transform Scout Hut with a Fresh New Look

Mersea Sea Scouts have given their Scout Hut a makeover. Well done to everyone involved 🏕️👏

We are happy to share that the Mersea Sea Scouts have given their historic Scout Hut a much-needed makeover, with a little help from Collier & Catchpole. After two days of hard work with 20 dedicated volunteers, the transformation is complete — and the space is looking better than ever.

Mersea Sea Scouts

Originally repatriated from the Colchester Army Barracks in the 1960s, the timber-framed hut had not been painted for over 20 years, leaving it in desperate need of a refresh. The volunteers worked tirelessly to repaint and restore the building, breathing new life into this important community space.

“Sincere thanks for supplying the paint to repaint our Scout Hut. We have just spent two days with 20 volunteers getting it done, and it looks great. The hut was originally repatriated from the Colchester Army Barracks in the 1960’s and it desperately needed a freshen up.

It had not been painted for at least 20 years, not great for a timber framed building! We could not have done it without you and sincerely appreciate your support and help.” – Mersea Sea Scouts 

Mersea Sea Scouts

We’re proud to have supported this project, and to support the incredible work of the Mersea Sea Scouts. We hope the new and improved space serves you well into the future.

4o

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Earls Colne Museum Unveil Memorial Dedicated to RAF Members

Proud to support a lasting tribute to heroism, courage and sacrifice. Memorial unveiled in local ceremony 🌹 #LestWeForget

Memorial

“On the 20th September 1944, two RAF Lancasters of 622 Sqn RAF enroute on an operational mission, collided mid-air, and both aircraft crashed to the ground- all 15 aircrew were killed instantly. The bodies of the aircrew were recovered. Four of the crew were from New Zealand, one from Canada, and the remaining 10 British.

Memorial

The knowledge of this crash location, and the death of these aircrew has been gradually lost to memory – they were just a few of the many thousands killed in Bomber Command. However, a discovery of a newspaper article in the Museum, and then further research including the Essex Record Office in Chelmsford, led the Museum to identify the actual locations.

We were then given permission to install a memorial close to the junction of Americas Road and Tey Road. This will be installed on 20th September 2024 for the 80th anniversary.” – Earls Colne Heritage Museum

“I would like to thank Collier & Catchpole for the very kind donation of bricks to the Museum via Robin Bragg to help us with the construction of the War Memorial” – Gordon, Chairman

Memorial
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September Sizzler Trade Event at Collier & Catchpole Ipswich

We did it! On Thursday 12th September, we hosted our second annual September Sizzler trade event at our Ipswich branch — 10/10 weather, food and people.

Thank you to the Collier & Catchpole team, suppliers and customers who came along to network, enjoy a free hotdog and discuss projects with the professionals that manufacture and supply the building materials that are used throughout our communities.

September Sizzler Trade Event

Founded in 1989, the Hot Sausage Company (a family business based in Ipswich), returned to grill their famous sausages from 10am – 2pm. “At the Hot Sausage Company, we take great pride in being a well-run business that uses only top-quality ingredients for our tasty hot dogs.”

Visitors took part in a prize draw “To Win a Weber BBQ” which was collected on the day and the #StickWithACO target game returned for customers to compete to “Win Their Height in Beer” (just in time for the weekend) 🎯

September Sizzler Trade Event

There was exciting demos from RUBI Tools, various displays and plenty of giveaways throughout the day. Customers were able meet the team, take advantage of trade deals and talk projects directly with the suppliers.

We were joined by top suppliers: Azpects, Bradstone, Pavestone, Long Rake Spar Co, ACO Group, RUBI Group, Cladco Profiles, TIMCO & Sika.

“Thank you to all the suppliers and customers who came along to our September sizzler at Collier & Catchpole Ipswich branch today. Alice Collins, Carl Holder, gareth walker, Steve Palmer, Glynn Jefferies, David Hobrough, Darren James” – Karl Flintoff, Commercial Manager, Collier & Catchpole

“Thank you Karl Flintoff and all at Collier & Catchpole for inviting Timco. Really enjoyed the day” – Gareth Walker
Merchandiser for TIMCO in South East

“Many thanks for the opportunity to be there” – Steve Palmer, Installer Development Manager – Pavestone UK Ltd

“A pleasure Karl great marketing as always from you guys Louise Parkes top effort 👏👏👏” – Carl Holder, Regional Business Consultant at TIMCO

Thanks to the involvement of both suppliers and customers, the September Sizzler was more than just a trade event; it was a community-building experience. Watch this space for future events for more opportunities to network, explore the latest products & tools, and for the chance to take part in fun competitions.

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#StickWithACO 2.0: The DIY Target Game

When our #StickWithACO pens first arrived, we didn’t search for a piece of paper to test the quality of the ink — We threw one at the nearest window! The pen stuck to the window in a clean swoop, wobbled and made everyone laugh, and it was in that moment that we discovered why these pens were so important to our merchandise collection.

target game

Our “stick to almost any surface” pens have quickly become a hit with our team, customers and suppliers. So, we created a new and exciting addition to the campaign: a target game using the #StickWithACO pens as darts 🎯

How to play:

With the pen nib and ink removed, the challenge is simple — Throw 10 #StickWithACO pens and see how many you can stick to the Collier & Catchpole x ACO Group target.

Well done Karl Flintoff for putting our new game together. We are excited to roll out our new game at next event. Make sure you are there to take on the challenge and see how many pens you can stick to the board for the chance to win your height in beer.

target game

Target Game DIY Project duration:

  • 10 minutes to build the wooden frame
  • Approx 62 minutes to get the sticker on the whiteboard (without any bubbles)

Building materials:

  • 4 lengths of 3×2 CLS Timber
  • TIMCO C2 Screws (100mm)
  • Old white board
  • Custom A0 self-adhesive sticker

Tools:

  • Handsaw
  • Power drill
  • Tape measure
  • Large format printed sticker (we got some help from The DS Group with this)
  • Squeegee (to smooth the sticker to the board, fairy liquid helps with this)

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Guess the Eggs Easter Competition

Our latest in-store competition at Collier & Catchpole was all about guessing — and chocolate! We launched our “Guess the Eggs“ game, where customers had the chance to win a giant bespoke chocolate egg, one for each branch.

guess the eggs
guess the eggs

Guess The Eggs! The big reveal — there were exactly 70 mini eggs in the jar! We received a fantastic range of guesses, but a few lucky winners came closest to the mark and took home their bespoke chocolate egg.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part and had a laugh making predictions.

Thanks again for your support, and enjoy your chocolate eggs, winners! Keep an eye on our socials and in-store for future challenges.

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Celebrating 25 Years of Dedication: Mark Willis’ Work Anniversary

Our success is built on the hard work and dedication of our team, and few people embody this better than Mark Willis, who is celebrating 25 years with the company this month.

This remarkable milestone speaks volumes about the kind of workplace we strive to create—one where people not only feel valued but choose to stay and grow with us long term.

mark with the ipswich team

Mark was presented with a custom-made mantel clock featuring a special engraving to commemorate the occasion, and he also became the second person to officially receive a 25-year service celebration badge.

Reflecting on his time here, Mark says, “25 years, who would have thought it? Not me that’s for sure, not in 1999. However, 25 years is what it is, and I have a lovely clock and a long-service pin to prove it. I have generally enjoyed my time here at Collier & Catchpole, and with retirement not too far away, I look forward to the years to come.”

Mark clock
mark 25 year badge

Mark’s quarter-century journey with Collier & Catchpole began in 1999, and has become an integral part of the team. His dedication is a testament to our commitment to fostering a positive, supportive working environment.

We pride ourselves on being a company where employees feel empowered, valued, and motivated to build long-term careers. Mark’s milestone reminds us of the importance of nurturing these relationships, 40 years is a significant amount of time, and we’re proud to have him as part of the team.

With long-serving, passionate employees like Mark, you can trust that Collier & Catchpole is built on expertise, experience, and a strong sense of community. Here’s to another 25 years, Mark—thank you for being part of our journey!

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Collier & Catchpole Wins NBG Award for Most Engaged Partner

We are thrilled to announce that Collier & Catchpole has been awarded “Supplier Voted Most Engaged NBG Partner (1-9 Branches)” at the National Buying Group (NBG) Gala Dinner in Liverpool.

NBG Award

This award is a huge achievement for us, as it highlights the importance of working in partnership and collaborating with suppliers to ensure that we deliver the very best products and services to our customers. We have always believed that successful relationships are the key to success in the merchanting industry, and this recognition proves just that.

NBG Award Tour Ipswich

Our win at the NBG Conference is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, but also to the suppliers who have supported us throughout the year.

NBG Award Tour Colchester

We are also incredibly grateful to our customers who continue to support us and share their feedback. The comments we receive on Trustpilot highlight the high level of service and quality that we strive to maintain. We’re proud of our excellent reviews and work every day to ensure we meet and exceed expectations.

NBG award tour Lawford

Well done to everyone at Collier & Catchpole, and a special thank you to our suppliers and customers for your continued partnership and trust. Here’s to more success in the future.

For more information on our products and services, or to read more reviews from our satisfied customers, visit our Trustpilot page or head to our website to browse our extensive range of building materials, all available for delivery or collection.

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The Three Wood Bears: A Masterpiece from Collier & Catchpole

We’re always proud of the effort from our dedicated team, and the lengths they will go to showcase a product range. Today we want to give a special shoutout to Jason Wood, Ciaran Wood, and Callum Wood (plus Gary!) — for their latest masterpiece of a TikTok video showcasing our Ipswich branch timber range.

wood
wood

The boys understood the assignment, not only highlighting our selection of timber products, but also their charismatic personalities — Be sure to check out the full video on our social media channels: TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Whether you’re after sawn timber, planed timber, chipboard flooring, or MDF skirting, we have you covered. Additionally, we stock timber mouldings, architrave, door frames, and door liners for a variety of construction and finishing projects. Perfect for both professional builders and DIY enthusiasts, our sheet materials and decking options ensure you’ll find the right timber solution for any job.

Explore our range of fence panels, fence posts, decking, and sleepers, ideal for creating stylish and durable garden structures. With a wide variety of timber products, you can build everything from garden fences to outdoor decking with ease and reliability.

Check out our full timber range and experience the quality and service we’re known for! (Wood family not for sale!)

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Gary Takes on Movember: Raising Awareness for Men’s Health

We are putting the spotlight on Gary today — who is spreading awareness and raising funds for Movember this month by sporting a 10/10 moustache and sharing his story. Watch the full TikTok video here 🙌

“Movember is a leading charity changing the face of men’s health. We know what works for men – and what doesn’t..”

Since 2003, Movember has been inspiring millions of people to join the movement and make a difference by growing a moustache, getting active, or hosting events — all with the aim of shining a light on important issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.

movember

“I am taking part in support of men’s health, such a worthy cause. I have had issues with mental health in the past and appreciate how isolating it feels to suffer in silence and how difficult it can be to finally open up about troubles, even to loved ones.

For me, this resulted in having a blackout at the wheel suffering physical injuries but more so emotional damage which took me a long while to fully recover from.

My wife was my absolute rock during this time and she is. She stood strong through it all and got me through basically. So, my “MOtivation” is all linked to this time in my life” – Gary Bloomfield

Click here to support Gary 🙏

movember

For all the dads, brothers, sons and mates in our lives. Let’s join forces to support men’s health this Movember.

There are many ways to join the Movember movement

  • Grow a Mo: The traditional way to participate is by growing a moustache and raising awareness
  • Move for Movember: The Order of Mo remembers the 60 men lost to suicide globally, every hour. To take part, all you have to do is run or walk 60km. Cover the distance in one go or over the month.
  • Host an Event: Get your community together to raise funds for Movember
  • Donate: Even if you can’t participate, you can always make a donation to support Movember‘s life-changing work

For more information on Movember and how you can get involved, visit Movember UK.